My kitchen is a mess, family room unwalkable and front room a disaster, but if I don't write down these quotes I know I'll forget!
Lincoln, extremely disappointed that he couldn't go to the park with the older boys, "Why do they get to go to the park? It has super, SUPER fun stuff, and we only have fun stuff."
I appreciate his honesty.
Trevor loves to talk at night, and the other night he told me, "When the sun goes to bed and the moon wakes up we only get to talk for a little bit. When the moon goes to bed and the sun comes up we can talk a lot!"
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Ruth's blessing day
Today our little Ruth Ann was blessed in church. We believe that because of the covenants we have made with God that our family relationships will last beyond death - forever and ever. That same hope is what has made my mom's passing bearable.
Isn't she a beauty?!
Isn't she a beauty?!
Friday, March 6, 2015
Mommy dates
Today I took a break from the everyday school and cleaning and bossing around and proclaimed it "Mommy date" day. Possibly the best thing I've done in a long time.
First off was Mason. I didn't tell any of the kids what we were doing until they were in the car with me - I didn't want the other kids getting jealous. :) First off we went out for breakfast (we left the house just before 9 a.m. - I am incredibly proud of myself for that!) at IHOP. It was a pretty big deal - Mason's was SO excited about going to a restaurant!
My goal for my time with him was to have some positive experiences together. It seems so much lately that whenever I talk to him it's because I'm annoyed or frustrated at what he isn't doing right. And I'm not okay with that. He's pretty awesome and amazing and fantastic, and me thinking that of him hasn't been coming through. We talked and laughed and played the silly games on the back of the menu. Then we went to Target so I could get him his first brand-new-never-been-worn-not-from-a-thrift-store pants in about 7 years. No holes and they actually fit him! (I think this idea of having an income is going to my head a little bit.) He wasn't nearly as excited about the jeans as I was, but he loved having my undivided attention.
Next up was Elise. She did know what we were doing...at least part of it. We went to the dance store and got a couple of pairs of pointe shoes. She's been really excited to try out a new style (Russian Pointe), and was even more excited to find a pair that fit her perfectly (Rubin). Okay, so 'perfectly' is not quite true...one of her feet is bigger than the other, but since we planned on getting two pair anyhow, we just got one larger pair and one smaller pair. Wal-ah! And now they are perfect. She has spent much of the rest of the day sewing on her elastic and ribbon and breaking them in (and admiring how they make her foot look so beautiful in the mirror).
Her surprise was going out to lunch at Panera Bread. On my date with Mason I left Ruth at home, but brought her on my date with Elise. We ooh-ed and aah-ed over her and had a great time talking over lunch. She is such a delightful girl who is growing into a delightful young woman. 13 in June! I can hardly believe it!
We came home to drop off Elise and pick up Sammy. Then off to Walmart to pick up his glasses (gotta love the one-year warranty!), then off to Costco. Sammy is so easy going and easy to please, I knew he'd be fine doing anything, so we ran errands while talking. And talk he did! He, too, loves my undivided attention, but doesn't ever demand it, and is always willing to sacrifice what he wants for someone else.
In fact, the other day he opened the mail and found a coupon for Cherry Berry, as it happened, right as we were passing said store. We passed it again today and I suggested that we stop there since he was so excited about going there. He said no, he'd rather go with everyone because everyone would enjoy it. I kind of pressed the idea, knowing he really did want to go, but he was firm in his decision. So into Costco (with Ruth in the cart) and then his food treat: the swirled chocolate & vanilla frozen yogurt. He thought it was the best thing ever, but as always, saved some for those at home. I love my Sammy!
As soon as we pulled in the garage Lincoln popped out of the house, ready for his date. We couldn't leave right away, because little Ruth needed to eat, but once she was done I left her in Elise's capable (and willing) hands and took Lincoln to Walmart to buy a new minion shirt. He loves the minions from "Despicable Me", and a few months or so ago found a minion shirt at Walmart, but I wouldn't buy it for him. Today he got it, and my $4 couldn't have been spent for a more grateful boy!
He requested french fries for his treat, but he didn't want to eat them all alone, no, he knew everyone loved french fries so asked that we take them home and eat them with the rest of the kids. What a sweetheart! That's what we did, and everyone was glad. :)
Trevor's date was going to the car wash. However, I didn't have any cash, and didn't know the car wash only took cash until after we had waited 25 minutes to get to the front of the line. Annoying for me, and very sad for Trev. So we turned to retail therapy and found a couple of great puzzles and books at the thrift store. He's happy with so little!
I love spending time with my kids. They are each pretty awesome, and so, so different!
First off was Mason. I didn't tell any of the kids what we were doing until they were in the car with me - I didn't want the other kids getting jealous. :) First off we went out for breakfast (we left the house just before 9 a.m. - I am incredibly proud of myself for that!) at IHOP. It was a pretty big deal - Mason's was SO excited about going to a restaurant!
My goal for my time with him was to have some positive experiences together. It seems so much lately that whenever I talk to him it's because I'm annoyed or frustrated at what he isn't doing right. And I'm not okay with that. He's pretty awesome and amazing and fantastic, and me thinking that of him hasn't been coming through. We talked and laughed and played the silly games on the back of the menu. Then we went to Target so I could get him his first brand-new-never-been-worn-not-from-a-thrift-store pants in about 7 years. No holes and they actually fit him! (I think this idea of having an income is going to my head a little bit.) He wasn't nearly as excited about the jeans as I was, but he loved having my undivided attention.
Next up was Elise. She did know what we were doing...at least part of it. We went to the dance store and got a couple of pairs of pointe shoes. She's been really excited to try out a new style (Russian Pointe), and was even more excited to find a pair that fit her perfectly (Rubin). Okay, so 'perfectly' is not quite true...one of her feet is bigger than the other, but since we planned on getting two pair anyhow, we just got one larger pair and one smaller pair. Wal-ah! And now they are perfect. She has spent much of the rest of the day sewing on her elastic and ribbon and breaking them in (and admiring how they make her foot look so beautiful in the mirror).
Her surprise was going out to lunch at Panera Bread. On my date with Mason I left Ruth at home, but brought her on my date with Elise. We ooh-ed and aah-ed over her and had a great time talking over lunch. She is such a delightful girl who is growing into a delightful young woman. 13 in June! I can hardly believe it!
We came home to drop off Elise and pick up Sammy. Then off to Walmart to pick up his glasses (gotta love the one-year warranty!), then off to Costco. Sammy is so easy going and easy to please, I knew he'd be fine doing anything, so we ran errands while talking. And talk he did! He, too, loves my undivided attention, but doesn't ever demand it, and is always willing to sacrifice what he wants for someone else.In fact, the other day he opened the mail and found a coupon for Cherry Berry, as it happened, right as we were passing said store. We passed it again today and I suggested that we stop there since he was so excited about going there. He said no, he'd rather go with everyone because everyone would enjoy it. I kind of pressed the idea, knowing he really did want to go, but he was firm in his decision. So into Costco (with Ruth in the cart) and then his food treat: the swirled chocolate & vanilla frozen yogurt. He thought it was the best thing ever, but as always, saved some for those at home. I love my Sammy!
As soon as we pulled in the garage Lincoln popped out of the house, ready for his date. We couldn't leave right away, because little Ruth needed to eat, but once she was done I left her in Elise's capable (and willing) hands and took Lincoln to Walmart to buy a new minion shirt. He loves the minions from "Despicable Me", and a few months or so ago found a minion shirt at Walmart, but I wouldn't buy it for him. Today he got it, and my $4 couldn't have been spent for a more grateful boy!
He requested french fries for his treat, but he didn't want to eat them all alone, no, he knew everyone loved french fries so asked that we take them home and eat them with the rest of the kids. What a sweetheart! That's what we did, and everyone was glad. :)
I love spending time with my kids. They are each pretty awesome, and so, so different!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Random happenings 11 & 12/2014
We begin this random photo post with Lincoln and his good friend Johanna K. We've done a babysitting swap with the K family ever since we moved here. These two have grown up together!
Lincoln as a trumpet player (notice the rules above him on the wall - those are his creation), and Sammy as a "hippy-freak-nerd". Don't ask...I have no idea!
Gene and Ann really wanted a family photo of us in our Jones Family t-shirts. We finally got one at a Pack Meeting...
On the way to Oregon! What would we have done without our electronic devices??
Cookies and the sibling train. Goofballs!
Aunty M and Darci & co came to visit! We just live an hour apart, so this is the family I see most often. :)
Rain Gutter Regatta, 11/2014
Mason and Sammy participated in their first ever rain gutter regatta! "Making" the boats was really just painting and assembling (how nice!), and fortunately we had some spray paint left over from the pinewood derby cars earlier in the year. In fact, it could have been from 2 years ago...I think that all of their scouting creations for the last 2 years have been black or silver. Waste not, want not!
Mason with his good friends William K. and Ewan M.
Mason with his good friends William K. and Ewan M.
Nutcracker community shows, 11/2014
Obviously I'm playing catch up...Trevor hasn't been feeling well so he, Ruth and I stayed home from church. They are both sleeping and I get to blog! Yay!
One of my responsibilities on the NBYC Board of Directors is to be in charge of the community shows - we take a 30 minute mini Nutcracker out into the community. This year we went to 2 elementary schools (our first time doing this, and a HUGE success!!), a senior care center and a library. Elise, Mason, Sammy & Lincoln all got to participate - it was a little tricky with being in charge and trying to get 4 kids ready! Stephen came to the shows, but he was on set up/tech duty...plus, he's not so good with makeup. :)
Lincoln and Sammy were angels, Elise was Clara and Mason was a mouse. Lincoln was having a bit of a sulky time shortly before going on stage...thankfully he snapped out of it before his performing time!
Backstage. It was kind of crazy being in a massive gym and trying to keep everyone quiet back here! And quick changes were lots of fun...
When the show was over the dancers lined up and talked with the students as they exited the gym - and of course everyone wanted to meet "Clara" - Elise felt like a movie star! But for all their loving Clara, it was the angels who stole the show. When these little tiny people with their dresses/tuxes, wings, halos and candles came on the audience burst into applause - the first time they had done that! When the angels came to take their bows the clapping was the loudest it ever was. Lincoln especially thought that was pretty cool. :)
At the senior home. From a massive gym to a tiny space! This was the first year that we brought our own Marley (flooring), so the older girls got to dance en pointe.
One of my responsibilities on the NBYC Board of Directors is to be in charge of the community shows - we take a 30 minute mini Nutcracker out into the community. This year we went to 2 elementary schools (our first time doing this, and a HUGE success!!), a senior care center and a library. Elise, Mason, Sammy & Lincoln all got to participate - it was a little tricky with being in charge and trying to get 4 kids ready! Stephen came to the shows, but he was on set up/tech duty...plus, he's not so good with makeup. :)
Lincoln and Sammy were angels, Elise was Clara and Mason was a mouse. Lincoln was having a bit of a sulky time shortly before going on stage...thankfully he snapped out of it before his performing time!
Backstage. It was kind of crazy being in a massive gym and trying to keep everyone quiet back here! And quick changes were lots of fun...
When the show was over the dancers lined up and talked with the students as they exited the gym - and of course everyone wanted to meet "Clara" - Elise felt like a movie star! But for all their loving Clara, it was the angels who stole the show. When these little tiny people with their dresses/tuxes, wings, halos and candles came on the audience burst into applause - the first time they had done that! When the angels came to take their bows the clapping was the loudest it ever was. Lincoln especially thought that was pretty cool. :)
At the senior home. From a massive gym to a tiny space! This was the first year that we brought our own Marley (flooring), so the older girls got to dance en pointe.
Trevor's birthday, 10/2014
In the midst of Halloween, Nutcracker, my mom being sick and me being pregnant, we had a couple of birthdays! Trevor turned 3 in October. He is such a happy, curly-haired boy, with the biggest brown eyes. He's a little bit of a goof, and loves to get a laugh out of you, but he also has the most tender heart and can't stand to see anyone cry.
He's almost caught up to Lincoln in height and shoe size, and already has in weight! Don't tell that to Lincoln, however; he is very sensitive about him being bigger because he is older...
He's almost caught up to Lincoln in height and shoe size, and already has in weight! Don't tell that to Lincoln, however; he is very sensitive about him being bigger because he is older...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)