Party All the Time

Thursday night we had a huge block party (over 100 people) in our yard. It was great fun, but I was exhausted. But no rest for the weary, because Friday was Ella's friend party for her birthday. Now, I know that there are people in my neighborhood that appreciate me or value my opinion, but I'm not sure that they really want to hang out with me. However, with kids, I know they like me. So Friday I was more in my element.

Jack was in his element as well. That boy loves to entertain! He yelled, "Mic," and started singing. It was an art party so there was a lot of creativity. We made a mural, colored pictures for a clothesline art exhibit, and drew with markers on t-shirts.
The cake wasn't the painter's palette I intended to make, but it was nicely frosted by our wonderful babysitter, Amberlee. The favor bags never got the polka dot stickers on them, but they did have crayons, glue, play dough, and pencils.
While the party would not have been photographed for any magazines, it was fun. We danced, created, played, ate cake, and hugged; who could ask for more. So even though I may not know if I have adult friends, I do know of twelve little girls I happily can count as friends.
"What is success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life breathed easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pioneer Day Parade

Utah is one of the few pioneer states that has an actual date to pinpoint settlement, and so we celebrate.
Thursday morning we made the early morning trek to attend the parade. We drove and drove, fought traffic, then sat and waited.
It was fun. The bands were great, the floats were colorful, and the company was the best part. With Evan working so much, any chance to get out and have help is much appreciated.
But in the end, late nights and early mornings get to even the best of us. I can't think of anything more wonderful than laying in the shady grass and taking a nap as marching bands seranade you to sleep.
How I wish I could have joined her. Summer and childhood end too soon.

Sing a Song

Sadie sneaked down from bed and asked me to sing her a song. I had a lot I needed to get done, so, reluctantly, I sang Sing by the Carpenters. She didn't believe me that it was a real song, so we looked it up on You Tube. We had a nice twenty-minutes or so looking up Sesame Street and Karen Carpenter, two of my favorite memories of being her age. So if you too were born in the seventies, this is for you.

Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things, not bad
Sing of happy, not sad

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
For anyone else to hear
Sing, sing a song

La la la la la la la la la la la

La la la la la la la

La la la la la la la la la la la

La la la la la la la

Sing, sing a song
Let the world sing along
Sing of love there could be
Sing for you and for me

Sing, sing a song

Make it simple

To last your whole life long

Don't worry that it's not good enough

For anyone else to hear

Just sing, sing a song
Just sing, sing a song

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

Scissors

I thought we were between the hair cutting stage. Sadie and Ella had outgrown it, Maisy and Jack were too young. But surprise, Ella cut Jack's hair. She felt it needed it. So Evan cleaned it up and this is the end result.
I think he looks pretty cute. Even though I won't let Ella know.

Mom's Bag

My mom recently mentioned that she wanted me to make her a purse. After being surprised that I hadn't already, I asked her what she would like it to look like and this is what she described:

It is square-bottomed and taller than it is wide. The tan fabric on the bottom also serves as a pocket. The handle has black D-rings to make it adjustable so it can be a shoulder bag or handbag. This is the first time I have made a purse without a purchased pattern. I wasn't sure about it, but Mom loves it. I'm still worried that it's too deep, but I knew she would want it deep enough for a water bottle. I hope she enjoyed it on her trip.

Colorado Springs

Last week we visited Evan's family in Colorado Springs. We went hiking at Helen Hunt Falls, went to the North Pole, had a birthday luau, and hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Christensen, Abbie, Audrey, and Tyler. All in all, a lot of fun.

The peppermint stick slide.

Maisy, the thrill seeker, with Evan.
Sadie surfing down.
Birthday cake
A very cool Jack.
Hanging out on the train.
"Do we have to ride the train, Mom?" (I need a break from all the spinning!)
See I was there too.

Maisy's favorite thing to do.
The birthday girl.
The girls did a hula dance...
but Jack stole the show.
Hiking at Helen Hunt Falls.

A little sun protection.

What a view, and the mountains were beautiful too.
Catching our breath.
Jack loved getting water poured on his tummy.
Roasting dinner.

"Isn't that what microwaves are for?"
Just like Dad.
Four-wheelin' with Grandpa.
Happy to hang out.
I love these kids!

Keen Up

The other day, I heard Jack singing, "Keen up, keen up, keen up," as he threw something in the trash. Even at not quite two, he is my cleanest child. One time at Costco, he was the center of attention as he walked from table to table throwing away whatever anyone would hand him. He alerts me of spills with an "Uh oh." I often find him picking up his toys, clearing his dishes, and throwing away stray napkins. And the song...I love this boy! He cleans with joy.
Here he is attempting to clean the carpet after he spilled something on it. Where did he come from?

I don't always want to say "NO"

Things have been so busy these past weeks. We have an upcoming birthday party, block party, and our Church's Women's Organization get together in early August. We just got back from vacation and school starts next week! I'm not overwhelmed or stressed, I just find myself lacking patience. A few of us met at Chic-fil-A to discuss things for the block party and my kids just would not cooperate. I came home very frustrated, then I saw this quote:
“It is not about making a cake, dinner or any number of important things…It is, however, about making a child. A unique, one-of-a-kind, significant individual” - Seeing The Everyday, Issue 1, Page 17, Lawrence Elliott
So I thought, I do have four "unique, one-of-a-kind, significant individuals" and I do need to have a better perspective on my purpose. I want to be a mother, I want to nurture and develop. I just also want them to be good. Is it possible to have a child who is imaginative and enthusiastic, but will also sit still in church? Or one that can play with a variety of children without mimicking their behaviors? Can I make a child and a cake without a little frosting getting smeared?
Maybe I expect too much. Overall, the everyday is wonderful. It is just those moments, when the whining is too much, the tattling too often, the thank yous few and far between. Those are the moments when I'm not the mom I want to be. The times when I find myself wishing I could take it back. The minutes where my bad behavior out weighs their bad behavior.
This parenting thing is hard and it doesn't stop for anything. Plus the stakes are so great. I have four little humans on my hands and that does overwhelm me. Where is the balance between have-to, want-to, need-to, and just plain would-really-like-to-find-myself-doing? So, maybe for today, I need to be easier on my kids and maybe even, a little easier on myself.

Happy Birthday Ella!

Yesterday was Ella's birthday. We arrived home from Colorado last night and sweet Ella had celebrated most of her day in the car. I don't feel too bad because it is kind of a birthday week for her. She enjoyed swimming followed by cake and hula dancing with her cousins in Colorado. She got way too many presents, but what is a budding artist to do without lots of material to create with. Then this next week proves to be filled with lots of celebrating.

I really can't believe that Ella is six. While Sadie has been my adventurer, Ella has been my cautious child. She explored the world from my side.

She never tried to do anything until she was sure she was ready.
Ella was quiet and sweet.
For the first two years she was Sadie's little shadow, learning at her big sister's side.

But then things changed and she wanted to do everything her way. Both little girls would look at me and say, "No Momma, I Andy Panda."
She grew up lightning fast while Maisy was in the hospital. Every weekend brought something new and I missed all the in between.
She is the child that wants to look pretty, wants to be like Mommy, needs new dresses, and always wants everything to be fair (even if she doesn't totally get that concept.)

She has her own sense of style from her favorite color (black) to wearing mittens and scarves in the summer.
Ella is creative and busy, always trying to make everything pretty.
This year has brought so many changes in her, as she is learning to be who she wants to be. She has become strong in her opinion of right and wrong, good and bad, pretty and not so pretty.
But she is still my sweet, kind, little southern lady. Happy Sixth Birthday Ella Wren. We love you.

We Have a Winner!

Hi Pam. I'll send you a package this week.

Fountain Fun

We had a little fun in the fountain when we went to see Grandma Gayla. Maisy enjoyed the water from her wheelchair, but there were too many kids for her to get down. Plus she refused to put on her swimsuit.
Sadie had a too cool to get wet attitude. She pranced through the water like the princess we love.
Ella looked super sweet in her new suit. It took a bit of coaxing to get her to wear the swimsuit and to get her in the water.
And Jack payed more attention to the camera and cookies than the water.
Who knew my most daring child would be the one who spent the first six months in the hospital? I guess she wants to absorb it all now. But by the end of the day, Sadie and Ella were drenched, Maisy was back to her book...

And Jack had eaten all the food. (Not sure what happened to the focus here!)