There vs. Here

Andy along with my father, brothers, and brothers-in-law are all together on their highly anticipated journey to Sin City.  (In case anyone in the future ever wonders, Las Vegas happens to be one of my least favorite places on planet Earth.  Andy has mentioned we could go for a little get away and leave the kids with his parents but . . .  to Vegas?).

So, while he is there basking in the warmth of the sun, sporting new swimming trunks (he forgot to account for the hot tub factor), shooting baskets and hoping to watch some intense basketball games where BYU is crowned champion, I am home with our children.

Kyler was busy today creating with Legos.  They are his current passion.  He recently got his Lego magazine in the mail.  This inspired him to create this masterpiece.  He had me take a picture hoping to have his creation published.

I'm glad Andy is having fun.  I'm extra glad to see the above picture of him.  Shaped in an "S", the exact same position he claims I always stand in.  Our children have no chance for good posture.

Morning Reflection . . .

Andy wakes up first in our home.  He will usually shower, get dressed and ready, wake up the girls and commence scripture study.  I regretfully admit I am not always in attendance.  Morning is still my least favorite time of the day and sometimes when it has been an extra rough night with Aysen the bonds of the bed hold me captive.

Aysen and Kyler join in on occasion.  Aysen sleeps quite well as long as there is a body he can curl up next to.  When he realizes he is on his own he awakens and voices his plea for rescue.  Kyler sleeps and sleeps unless he has something he is looking forward to and his internal excitement alarm goes off.

This morning Aysen joined the morning routine.  He may not say one word but he communicates quite effectively.  You know what he wants and how he wants it as long as you pay attention to his guiding finger and grunts.

Today he had a need to wear socks.  As I watched his dad's crew (mid-calf) socks reach the top of Aysen's thighs I was amazed.  He is so little but has also grown so much.  My thoughts raced to the future when he will be the same size as his father.  The years of schooling, scouting, athletics(?), other interests, a mission, college and marriage?  This was way more than my mind wanted to embrace.  He is only 21 pounds.  He doesn't say a word.  But Taylei was this small eleven SHORT years ago.  Time flies to swiftly.

Today as I complain about the cupboards he empties I need to remember this phase won't last long.  My dishes will stay where they belong and our hygiene items won't be strung all over the bathroom floors.

He will be able to eat on his own without requiring a call to hazmat to clean up the aftermath.  He will grow and someday fill his daddy's socks.

I need make a note to self to enjoy the hear and now, to embrace all the stages of life.  To smile and enjoy the journey especially after I find the 'splashing in toilet water' mess.

I also need to try and embrace a quote I once heard, "Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning Satan says, "Oh, %#*$! She's up again."  Right now I'm quite sure he just sits and smiles as I sleep away my morning . . .

All Things Seuss

In honor of Theo LeSieg a.k.a Theodore Geisel a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, a birthday celebration was held at Mona Elementary School.

This is one of my children's favorite days.

They are allowed to dress up as characters from his books.  

Taylei coordinated with her friend, Darian to go to school as Thing 1 and Thing 2.

I was told how much they looked alike except Taylei is a brunette and Darian is Blonde.

I'm glad they are friends.

Keanna dressed as a Who.  A Who who was celebrating the arrival of spring. 

Lisa drove the kids to school today.  Zeak and Jake came in for a quick picture.  They all looked awesome.  Lisa used acrylic paint to color Zeak's hair and face a Grinchy shade of green.  I would have never thought to use acrylic paint in a million years.

I'm so glad our school has these extra-curricular activities.  100 years ago when I was in school, we also got to dress up and I still remember how much I loved it.

Proof to Posterity . . .

The birthday party was delayed but we did celebrate.  After a quick dinner of barbecue beef sandwiches with all the fixings the guests changed party locations and we went to my parents home to watch the BYU basketball game.  Our family seems to have caught on to Jimmermania and no one wants to miss a game.

Andy and Taylei always request Pink Cloud Cake for their birthday.  We have to get creative with how we arrange the candles, 38 plus 12 on one cake would be a definite fire hazard.

The End of the Season for Nan

City league basketball ended tonight.

Keanna plays on a 3rd and 4th grade team and has loved every minute of the competition.

She still has plenty to learn but has a better understanding of the game

 than most of the kids her age.  

This has everything to do with the time she has spent watching her sister play

AND all the extra help she gets from her dad.  

She was on fire during one of the games and scored 20 points.  

The games are pretty low key and the rules are lenient.

During one game Keanna ran half way down the court with the ball and then began dribbling.

The best thing about watching her play is the smile she always wears on her face.

I'm always reminding my children one of the main reason we play sports is to have fun (threatening to stop playing and go home and find extra house or garden work if they find it impossible to smile).

Keanna is great with this, smiling when she makes the shot and smiling when she misses.

She smiles when she steals the ball from another player and smiles when it is stolen

from her and she has to hustle down the court to try and get it back.

She is a wonderful example.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Children Dear

Does 12 still count as children?  Do I need to go with 'adults dear' instead?  Taylei is 12.  Andy is a year older as well but he is already over the age of 25, old enough to drive a rental car but not old enough for a senior citizen discount.  His age has a little less meaning.  He is aging though, the wrinkles are deeper and his hair is greying but all at a snail's pace.  Then, there is Taylei.

Taylei turned 12.  No more primary.  She is on to the Young Women's program.  It was just yesterday she came to our home.  4,383 yesterdays to be exact but they have all seemed to meld into one.  How did this happen?   Next year she goes to junior high.  She is wearing braces and spending more time hanging out listening to the grown up conversation instead of running off with the kids.  Child no more.

On a more optimistic outlook, she is beautiful.  Both inside and out.  She has talents she is developing and talents she has not yet discovered.  She is a blessing to me and to our family.  I love her!

To celebrate her birthday she played in a basketball tourney.  Basketball has not been our sport.  The girls do well but it isn't softball.  I'm a softball mom.  We're a softball family.

Kyler thinks basketball is fine.  He has learned to play 'Angry Bird.'  I tried this once, enough said.  His friends play with him, each on their own electronic gadget.  All are happy.  He is easy to keep track of.  Mom is happy.

Grandma and Grandpa are awesome to support and help with Aysen.  Aysen started off the season and I would walk the gym with him holding on to my fingers.  He now goes on his own.  This mobility is a blessing and a curse . . .

We anticipated being in Salt Lake for just a few hours.  But then we won both our games and played for the championship.  We rescheduled the birthday dinner and the birthday girl chose to eat at Tempanyaki.  The food was good but the hour was late and when the game came around, Keanna succumbed to sleeping on the bench.  Not quite comfortable but still effective.

Happy Birthday to two of my favorite people in all the world.  

As a side note, on the way to the game we talked about how awesome Taylei could do --  her muscles performing perfectly helping her shots to fall and being able to make all kinds of defensive miracles.  It would be the present her body gave to her.  

This did not happen.  She had an average day.  Then she made a basket FOR THE OTHER TEAM.  She expects perfection from herself and was so disappointed.  Years from now I know she will look back and giggle.

And the second side note, I do also love Andy so very, very much.

A look at everyday . . .

This is Aysen.  Aysen has one word to describe comfort.  Onesie.  He likes them.  He actually may prefer his birthday suit only but as his mother I have to draw the line.  No.

Three good reasons as to why:  1 -- It is illegal.  2 -- The clean-up of the potential contamination.  3 -- It is COLD outside.  (Even though our home thermostat is set at 70, the view through the window adds a chill factor.  The weatherperson may need to begin taking this into account.  Instead of just a wind chill factor, we can have a 'mental perception' factor added in as well).

He is smiling.  For a normally happy kid he has been sick bunches as of late.  I'm sick of sick.  Glad today smiles were in the air.

And to prove I am pampered by my daughter . . .  Taylei is getting to be really good at nail art.  I get to sit comfortably on the couch using my favorite tool (may or may not be a mac, for those of you that have one, you understand).

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon if I must say so myself.