Easter Fun

We went to the Thanksgiving Point Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. It was a little pricey to get in so I wasn't too excited about it. But, it ended up being totally worth it because there was so much to do and entrance into Farm Country was free. (We love Farm Country and I realized that John had never gone with us there before. The farm boy in him wasn't near as impressed by the sheep and ponies in pens as I am...but that's okay!) We spent half the day there and the kids had fun going on the egg hunts, visiting farm country, riding in a horse drawn carriage, getting balloon animals, having their faces painted like butterflies, and riding a cow train. At the end of the event, we were interviewed by Fox news and John and Emily even made it onto the evening newscast. We are feeling really famous now!

Yummy

This kid REALLY loves food and gets a lot of joy out of his meals. This was his first experience with a fast food hamburger...and he hoovered it down. The second clip shows what he does every time he takes a drink now. Cracks us up.

Moms

I've become really aware lately of how much I rely on my mom, for help, for advice, for everything. The last few months my mom hasn't really been around because of lots of family catastrophes. I mean I've seen her in passing in ICU waiting rooms and at funeral luncheons...but it's really not the same. It's made me realize that our job as mom certainly doesn't stop at 18 or even 30, it goes on and on. I know that my children as adults will still need a mom to turn to for advice and help during hard times...and I hope they want to turn to me. I am so grateful for my strong mom who keeps on going through all the hard times and makes the best of things. Today, I think my mom is just amazing and here's why...

In December my 35 year old sister had a heart attack. It was a huge shock since my sister is healthy, has no risk factors, and just had a baby. The months that have followed have been full of hospital visits and complications. My mom practically moved in to my sisters to care for her four young children so her husband could work and she could recover. In the midst of all of that, my grandpa passed away. My mom headed to Idaho to be with her family, plan her dad's funeral, and be the executor of the will. When things seemed to be calming down a little, she headed home to recuperate. But, my grandma caught pneomonia at the funeral and was hospitalized. My mom went back to care for Grandma when she came home from the hospital. My mom recently came home and was just exhausted from the last few months. This is why it meant so much to me when my mom showed up on my doorstep with dinner while I had the flu. She brought dinner, watched my kids, and managed to clean all my bathrooms too. Pretty impressive--I seriously can't get all my bathrooms cleaned in a single day :). I am so grateful for my mom who is always willing to help. She has always been a great example to me of serving others, no matter how much you've already done or how tired you are. And I really hope things will calm down a little, and my poor mom will get a rest.

First Words

Carter's first words in order of appearance:

Daddy

Uh, oh!
Doggy!

Thank You

Sister

Kelsie

that(when pointing to anything he wants)

this

jus (anything to drink)

Pretty well describes what is most important to this little guy right now. One problem--he refuses to say "Ma Ma". Just won't say it. He said it once and I got so excited that he started squealing and laughing and now he seems to think "ma ma" is a punch line of a joke. My pediatrician says it's just because babies see themselves as a part of their mom so they don't need to say "ma ma". I'm no psychologist, but I thought that was the silliest thing I'd ever heard. I like the explanation that my baby is trying to torment me. I sure love this goofy little boy.

Flu Shots

I've never been a big believer in flu shots, perhaps because my kids have never had a true case of influenza...until now. Emily and Carter have the official, dreaded flu. They have been running 102 degree fevers on and off for five days and are just wiped out. My little Emily who can usually be found jumping on the couches and building pillow forts in my living room, hasn't moved off of the couch for three days. She is so worn down. My baby is miserable and just wants to be held and falls asleep in my arms (which is the one up side to the whole thing). It's sad to see them so sick and it's been a full week of fevers and sick kids at our house. Maybe the flu shot isn't such a bad idea after all. Maybe next year.

Leprechauns

We've had leprechaun fever around here. About a week ago, Kelsie came home convinced there was a leprechaun in our toy room because some of the dollhouse furniture was overturned. She set up this trap, hoping to catch the little guy. It might not look like much, but I thought the Barbie armoire as leprechaun trap was especially fitting.


Only problem is...she has a one year old brother who has no respect for leprechaun traps and thought the containers looked better as a new hat for him!



Emily caught onto the fever and has been convinced there is a leprechaun out in the garden. She has been outside, with a magnifying glass, searching for one. The girls are still hoping to catch a leprechaun this year. Wish us luck!

Cheating

When I went to help in Kelsie's class today the teacher asked me to give them their practice spelling test. Anyone who gets 100% doesn't have to take the test on Friday. They get to play in the back of the room. I think it's a great idea because it motivates the kids to learn the words earlier in the week. SO as I'm walking around giving the test I notice three kids totally cheating. They had the word list and pulled it out of their desk on every word and copied them down. They were trying to be as discrete as a 6 year old knows how to be, but it was pretty obvious.

It upset me for two reasons. First, I think it's horrible that these little six year olds already know how to cheat and don't see anything wrong with it. Second, I think it's really sad that they feel that pressured by a test. So what do you do? Should I have told the teacher, or is it really none of my business? If I tell the teacher, does my kid become the one with the lame parent who tattles on them? Am I really naive, or does this seem really young to be cheating in school?