A Walk to Remember

Today Spencer suggested that we take the dog for a walk. Autumn has arrived in all its splendor so I happily agreed. We got our shoes on, unfolded the stroller, put the leash on Sugar and began our stroll. As we were walking, Spencer begged me, "Let's go to the lake" which is actually a river near our house as the crow flies but a bit of a walk for an almost 5-year-old. I suggested we just go to "the forest" (a walking path near our home) but Spencer insisted that we head to the river. I agreed after exacting a promise from him that he would not make me push him in the stroller in addition to the twins because there are some major hills. I knew if we walked as far as the river it would become an issue. Getting there wasn't too bad although about 3/4 of the way there, S told me it was boring. But after I suggested (with hope) that we turn around, Spencer suddenly remembered he really did want to go to the river so we pressed on.

Once we got to the water, the fun began. The kids began throwing rocks into the river which was fine until Courtney had a mishap. While running full speed toward the river to toss a rock, she fell on the concrete and hit her head. There was an audible kaboom sound accompanying the fall so I worried initially but after Courtney cried and cuddled me for about a minute, she was once again throwing rocks in the river. Then as we were heading up the boat ramp to leave, Caitlin took a running fall on the ramp and hurt her hand. After Caitlin's recovery, I got the twins back in the stroller and thought we were on our way back. But no! Of course, they had to use the port-a-poddy when they saw it which as you all know is always so very lovely!

FINALLY, we began our long journey home. I say long because it is almost all uphill and in some places very steep. After we got about 100 yards away from the river, Spencer began limping and told me his foot hurt and he couldn't walk anymore. So I had him climb in the stroller and sit on Courtney's food tray right in the middle of the stroller. This worked for about 3 seconds before Courtney decided she didn't like Spencer on her food tray and began shoving him. So to prevent further conflict, I had Spencer stand on the back of the stroller and I began pushing. I warned Spencer that when we arrived at the "big hill" he would have to walk because I couldn't push a stroller loaded with him AND the twins up a vertical slope and hold the dog leash at the same time. We got to the big hill and Spencer got off as requested but was falling way behind and could hardly walk. Finally, after we had walked up the hill for half an hour, I put Spencer back on the back of the stroller and huffed and puffed up the hill toward home.

We were about a block from home when Courtney climbed out of the stroller and wanted to walk. Spencer immediately jumped in her seat. Courtney flipped out and bit Spencer because he was in her "spot." Then Spencer pushed her away, thus causing her to cry hysterically. At this point, I was holding Courtney, pushing Spencer and Caitlin in the stroller and holding the leash. In desperation, I put Courtney on the stroller handle and had her hold on to me so I could have one hand to push the stroller and one hand to hold the leash.

The good news is that we eventually made it home. We had been walking for at least three hours. And poor Spencer, the limping was real. He had a couple of blisters on his heel. Boy, was it ever a walk to remember!

Brrr!

These are the only pictures I took at the pumpkin patch because I was too busy chasing the kids the entire time! I thought we would just be getting on the hayride to find our pumpkins but instead, we had to walk around a 3-acre maze, listen to a lecture (while the girls are running all over, wrecking displays, trying to climb over fences--good times!) and play a matching game before we went on the hayride. Luckily, one of the teachers took pity on me and helped. After the hayride, they announced "We will now feed the animals. " I thought of leaving at that point because I was holding four pumpkins and trying to hold on to three kids. Instead, we went to the car, deposited our pumpkins and got the stroller. After that, the animal feeding was easy. Of course, it was the last event but at least I had control of the kids at the very end.

Why do children like to take off their clothes? Dressing and re-dressing the kids is a major part of my life lately. I had quite a time getting Courtney dressed this morning because she didn't want to wear warm clothes. It has been unseasonably warm the entire fall so the kids are used to wearing summer dresses and shorts. However, today is chilly and the wind is blowing 35 miles per hour so maybe the fall has finally arrived.

The kids have to be dressed warmly because I'm taking them to the pumpkin patch with Spencer's pre-school class this afternoon. I will definitely be the only parent taking more than just the pre-schooler but I don't know what else to do. I have no daytime babysitters. The field trip was scheduled for yesterday but we had massive downpours so they postponed it until today. Yesterday, Paul was planning to come home for a couple of hours, put the twins down for their nap and work while I took Spencer to the farm but today he has an all day meeting and can't get away. Hopefully, I'll manage.

Anyway, back to the clothes issue. Because Courtney was mad about being forced into her clothes, as soon as we got home from our errands this morning, she immediately stripped. I forced her to put on a diaper but anything else I put on, she takes off! It's a losing battle so after about 20 attempts, I've given up until we need to leave. Now Caitlin has taken off her overalls and they're both running around with practically nothing on! I really don't get it! Don't they feel the cold? Brrrrr!

A Day We Will Never Forget

General Conference weekend--how wonderful! Yesterday, as we were watching the 2nd session of conference, S tried to put in a kid's video but we told him it was Sunday and that it wasn't appropriate. He was not happy at all because he was sure it was Saturday. After we assured him it was Sunday and explained that we were watching conference instead of attending church, he calmed down and we thought that was the end of that. But about a half-hour later, S disappeared for a while. After a few minutes, he came down the stairs dressed in his suit and tie. He said, "I have an idea! Let's have church at home." This is the same kid who for nearly a year, I had to force into his church clothes, chase to comb his hair and drag him into the church while listening to complaints about how boring church was and that he didn't want to be there. So you can imagine the joy we felt when we heard his suggestion.

S then proceeded to get out some bread and break it for the sacrament and poured some water in cups and set up chairs in the kitchen. He gave us all a piece of bread and a drink of water (minus the prayer) and then had us all sing "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam," stood on a chair and gave a talk, helped Caitlin and Courtney climb up on the chair and give "talks," said a prayer and then directed us to the chairs in the kitchen for "class." We sat on the chairs and he gave a little lesson. After that, he insisted that he and his Dad go hometeaching. P didn't have anything set up for hometeaching and didn't have much time because I had a string quartet practice at the church last night. But he remembered he needed to give one of the high priests a hometeaching assignment and called and asked if they could stop over for a few minutes. They went and thus ended a day we will never forget.

Saturday is a Special Day. . .

Sometimes I really feel like I need to be more organized. Today was one of those days. The morning started out well. I woke up early but stayed in bed and read for a while (mistake) while P fed the twins breakfast. But by the time I got up because R needed me to clean up the dog mess from her bedroom, things weren't running as they should. S didn't want to go to his soccer game and claimed to have a stomach ache (he was very pale and lethargic so we think it was real.) Everyone needed a shower or bath and the two oldest kids had soccer pictures this morning. Bathing was going well until. . .we couldn't find R's black shorts anywhere and nothing else would do. We searched everywhere--dirty clothes, clean clothes, drawers, closets, even S's drawers in case I put them in the wrong drawer--to no avail. It was only when I looked at the clock and discovered it was 10:20 a.m. (the time of her picture) that she agreed to wear something else. So she threw on her black sport pants and I dropped everything and ran her over to the field. Luckily, the photographers were running a little behind and R barely made it in time for her team picture. However, I didn't have the order form and check with me or a water bottle for her game. So I got a form from the photographers, filled it out, watched R get her picture, made sure she was on the field and ready for her game and ran home for a water bottle and the twins. When I got back, I had missed R's goal--it was the first of the game. Bummer! She is really doing well this year. She has made a goal in every game (sorry, don't mean to brag. . . okay, maybe I do.)

Then we were on to S's game. About three quarters of the way through, he decided he was bored and refused to play anymore. His attention span just doesn't last through an entire game. Maybe next year! I'm just happy when he kicks the ball at all, especially if it's going in the right direction.

Conference has been great today. I enjoyed it immensely with the exception of the wild and crying children, the fighting that happened sporadically and the dog nipping everyone including me because we're not playing with her enough. But I do love listening and can't wait until tomorrow. I'm so glad we have BYUTV and can watch it at home.

Well, I should go clean up the conference mess in the family room so it looks a little better for tomorrow. Because, after all, Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday!

Well Worth It, Even if it is "Boring"

In the last week, Rachel has told me twice that she wouldn't mind quitting piano lessons because "it's boring!" This announcement comes at a surprising time, when she is finally able to play several primary songs and is learning the real version of Fur Elise! However, I understand her issues. She has 40 minutes of homework each day, has to read 30 minutes every night, has to practice her violin 20 minutes and her piano at least 1/2 hour. That plus any other activities she has after school like soccer, piano lessons and activity days. And she's only in fourth grade! She doesn't have a lot of time to play with her friends which is very frustrating to my very social girl.

But. . .when she told me she was tired of piano, I told her to get over it and get back to work. I got tired of piano lessons when I was a kid but I kept at it for a few more years. I'm so glad I stuck with piano until I could call myself a pianist. So Rachel will have to do so as well. It's tempting to let her quit, especially after waiting in the car during her lesson each week with three impatient, crying, whining kids but I know it's well worth the work and the wait.

Water, Water Everywhere!

The twins are obsessed with water lately. It makes for a lot of clothes changes and joy for me! Once again, they got into the sink about a million times today! Okay, I know I'm exaggerating slightly but not much. Even while dropping off and picking up Spencer at pre-school, they each had to get three drinks at the drinking fountain. They also needed a change of clothes this afternoon because they sprayed each other with the hose outside. I finally put them in their swimsuits and let them play in their little pool outside. When we finally arrived at the church for Activity Days tonight, dressed once again in new outfits, I thought my water woes were over. But no! Courtney soaked herself at the water fountain! I promise I'm not making this up. . .I have witnesses! And the water theme continued on the drive home (as tears this time,) when Spencer cried because he didn't get the Young Women's ice cream sandwich treat and Caitlin and Courtney sobbed all the way home because I wouldn't leave the interior lights on while driving. "Wat-er we going to do about it?" (for Katherine who actually gets my "pun"ch lines!)

It's the Mundane Things that Matter

My cute tree huggers looked so sweet I had to take a picture (Sept. 26th!)

Rachel outside the Salt Lake Temple last weekend

Pictures from the Fish Hatchery with the kids last weekCourtney didn't want to pose

But Caitlin was happy to smile for me


Spencer did as well

It's after two in the morning and I can't sleep. I went to bed early tonight but Caitlin came in about 1 a.m. and woke me up and after lying in bed for an hour trying unsuccessfully to get back into a dream state, I decided to come down and write in my blog in hopes that it will get me tired enough to go back to sleep. In the last year or so, I have had this problem of not being able to get back to sleep when I'm awakened in the middle of the night. The good thing is that eventually I get up and do laundry or clean and it gets done because I don't have the usual daytime de-cleaners also known as my children.

Why haven't I been writing very often lately? Because my routine is the same every day and there's nothing exciting to report! I take the kids to school, I come home, I run them to soccer practice, piano lessons, play dates, activity days, etc. I take care of the little ones at home. I clean up after them. I do laundry. I prepare meals. I read scriptures, I say prayers. This is my life! It's so ordinary but I think it's little things that matter when raising children. When I hear Spencer saying an extra long family prayer, full of sincerity and small details or when I see the kids giving each other hugs or I hear Rachel teaching the younger kids about something or when they're all singing "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" together, the mundane things I do seem worthwhile. So I just keep plugging away, hoping that somehow I can help my kids to gain testimonies and learn to put those testimonies into action. Some days are better than others but I just have to keep doing it, over and over again. Then I have to pray that somehow God will help them and inspire me to say and do the right things as we go about our very normal lives.

Today the twins kept getting into the sink and I changed their soaked clothes three times. I finally let them take a second bath this afternoon because they wanted to play in the water so much. But for some reason taking a bath isn't nearly as fun to them as playing in the bathroom sink or climbing into the kitchen sink and turning on the water because they were back at it again after bath number two. On the bright side, I hope all this hand washing and playing in the water will help them resist the illnesses going around, especially the ones going around our house. This weekend my three little ones all had a stomach virus and stayed home from church and today Rachel stayed home from school because she has a croupy cough, a fever and laryngitis. So maybe I should be grateful they're washing their hands over and over again as it's supposed to be the greatest deterrent to illness!

Well, this rambling has got to stop. I don't want to be a cranky, sleepy mommy tomorrow so I can focus on those mundane things that really matter.