A Different Sunday Dinner

On Sunday night, Courtney offered to help me make dinner. Normally, we have roast but we still had leftover roast from last week and no one seemed to want it so I was planning on making something like chicken and rice or baked potatoes but Courtney had other ideas. She went down to the storage room and brought up 4 cans of diced peaches and pears, 4 cans of chicken noodle soup and 3 cans of tuna and announced that we were having fruit, chicken noodle soup and tuna fish sandwiches with lots of celery because Rachel likes lots of celery. I was so impressed with her menu planning and utilization of our food storage that I went along with her and that is exactly what we had. Courtney even made all the tuna sandwiches herself. Not bad for a four year old!

A Primary Program to be Remembered. . .

Today was our primary program. For the first and last time, all our kids participated in it. The twins were sunbeams performing for the first time and Rachel will be twelve in just over three weeks so it was her last primary program. This morning, I began packing my church bag and realized I didn't need to bring all the paper, pencils, pens, crayons and coloring books that I usually bring because the kids were going to be front and center. I sighed in relief because I thought it would be a relaxing and rewarding Sunday but I was mistaken. It was just as stressful to me as it is when they're sitting with me because I had no control of their behavior aside from a few mommy stares, hand motions and mouthing words from afar.

If I wasn't Spencer's parent, I might have been amused by his behavior. In fact, someone came up to me and said that he looks forward to the primary program just to watch Spencer every year. My boy refused to sing nearly all the songs and when I would mouth "Sing" to him or point to my ear, he would sing "Ba, Ba, Ba" as loud as possible. Occasionally, he would get into a song and actually sing it but only the ones he liked. He also had two tiny paper airplanes that he must have had in his pockets that he flew around with his hand (*Note to self: check pockets next year.) During a few songs, he plugged his ears with great dramatic finesse right in center stage. I actually began counting with my fingers so he would stop that. On the bright side, he remembered his part. In fact, all of our kids remembered their parts.

I don't think Courtney sang much of anything but she was quiet and stayed in place looking cute. Caitlin sang most of the songs with gusto. She also decided it would be fun to take off her shoes and dance around during some of the program. She also climbed up on the clerk's desk a few times and tried sliding down the banister once. In the middle of the meeting, she ran down to me to go to the bathroom. It was a relief to me because I could finally remind her to behave.

Rachel was the narrator so she spent a lot of time at the microphone. She did a nice job and bore a beautiful testimony at the end of the program. It was a challenge to be in the program this year because she towers over all of the kids but she had a good attitude and I'm proud of her. It's hard to believe that she will soon be joining young women. She's definitely ready. The rest of the girls in her class have been in young women since the summer so she'll be happy to join them again.

The program was about the family and I was touched during many parts because despite all their crazy antics, I cherish my kids and husband and am so grateful that we can be together forever. What a blessing it is to be a mother and wife and have the unconditional love of my children and husband.

Birthday Bash

On Friday, October 30th, we hosted Spencer's birthday party at our house. The boys ate dinner and played pass the pumpkin (hot potato), the mummy wrap game, pin the nose on the pumpkin and had a treasure hunt for their goody bags. Afterwards, we took them to our church's trunk or treat. It was a fun night for all.

Spencer blows out his candles at his birthday party

The boys eating their delicious pizza/fruit/veggie dinner

Yummmmmmmm!

After they found their treasure

They went on a treasure hunt outside and inside the house to find their goodie bags

The aftermath of the mummy wrap game

It was a mess

Here's Mommy the mummy and all the other mummies looking their scariest

My biggest Halloween ladybug, Rachel, was a huge help at the party!

Preschool Halloween Party

I loved helping at Caitlin and Courtney's pre-school class Halloween Party and Parade on Friday. The girls looked adorable in their ladybug costumes and had a great time at their party.

Courtney got to be the drum player and Caitlin was the flag holder.
Look at the cute back details of their costumes.

Oh yeah, they see me now and are saying hello in their own unique way.

Caitlin marches in the parade

So does Courtney