Day One

The first day of school has come and gone.

The boys thought it was awesome. Woohoo!!

Before school, we took our traditional shots outside.
The boys were pretty giddy with excitement. This is the best photo.



Here's my third grader whose feet and hands are the same size as mine,
and my first-grader whose smile resembles a jack-o-lantern.
Cute kids.

The Littles had to be included in the photo-op, bed-head, pajamas, attitude, and all.



The boys both got lunches sealed with a kiss in their new boxes.

And then they were off. Carpool only lasted one day, but hey -- it was fun for a bit.

Back at home, Gavin and I spent some time with paper, crayons, and the letter A.



This is how Lexi spent that time.

Although the rest of my day was completely c.r.a.z.y, this particular chunk was great.

It should be a good year.

treehugger

See Gavin.

See Gavin hug a tree.

See Gavin hug a tree he has climbed.

See Gavin be silly in the branches.

See Gavin in a tall, tall tree.
See Mommy have a heart attack.
See Gavin laugh.

Oh, Gavin.....

Answered prayer

Gavin hasn't gone to nursery class at church since the last Sunday in March. Little did we know on that fateful Sunday that a ward boundary change would turn his world upside down. He went from being a beloved member of the class to the kid who overwhelmed the teachers with his screaming. Our transition to Cordera Ward involved tears for many of us. Things were really rough at church for a couple of months.


Then our summer siesta in Arizona compounded the problem. Gavin had a new bed, no Daddy, and a new routine. Everywhere we went, people were different and scary. Church with Gavin was a disaster. Eventually I gave up and attended an early sacrament meeting alone each week and stayed home with Gavin and Lexi so they could nap. The big boys attended church with my parents.


When we returned to Colorado, we recommitted to nursery. We talked to Gavin's teacher, who eased Gavin's transition back to class. First, she played with him in the back of the chapel, bringing him toys and fruit snacks and a nursery pal or two. Next, when Gavin was willing to step into the nursery classroom with Dad, she engaged him with books and puzzles and cars. Last week Gavin fully participated with Garry in the background. This was a significant victory! We were thrilled with his progress.

That's when our family started praying for Gavin. Every night after scripture study, each family member takes a turn saying a prayer before bed. Every night this week, each of us prayed that Gavin would attend nursery alone on Sunday. We were all very sincere, but Tyler's prayers were especially fervent and faithful.


All week we have been talking excitedly about nursery. Gavin proclaimed on more than one occasion that he would not go. But this morning was different. He said he would go. I wasn't sure if I believed him. Later he reconsidered and wanted me to go with him.

Gavin walked into nursery holding my hand. He worked some puzzles, making sure I wasn't going to leave. He asked me to sit right by him at snack time. But after about half an hour, I decided to duck out. And when I did....he was just fine! Not a single tear. He left the class beaming, excited about all he had done in class.

We will keep praying for Gavin and his nursery class, but it sure feels good to have our initial prayers answered. God is mindful of Gavin. (And his parents.)

Saturday

On this, the last Saturday of Summer, we spent the day as a family.

After Zach's football practice and kitchen haircuts, we drove around town looking at carpet. We visited a couple of warehouses and got some estimates. This process went much better than I expected.





So far, the independent contractor we talked to first has the best prices, but we're waiting on some more samples from him to confirm our decision.

Daddy also tried out our new baby swings with Gavin and Lexi.



And Zach and Tyler continued on their journey to learn the value of work. I recently declared that I will no longer clean up the kitchen after dinner. Garry and the boys are in charge. So Zach and Tyler are learning all about clearing and washing the counters and table; putting away food; rinsing and loading the dishes; and sweeping the floor. They don't appreciate the learning experience, but I am content knowing I am preparing future missionaries, college roommates, and husbands.



I also started the laundry and ironed 20 items of Garry's clothing before bed, but didn't take a picture of these exciting events. The night was fraught with exhausted children who wouldn't sleep (also unphotographed). But hey, I still got seven hours of sleep, and in theory, today is the day of rest....

Two of a kind

Meet Gavin and Zachary, my two most challenging children. They are also the children for whom I most earnestly prayed and cried and waited and sought medical assistance to bring to our family. I am so glad they are mine, but boy howdy, they are tough kids.


Yesterday morning we went to the boys' school to have ten-minute conferences with their teachers. I was prepared with the stroller and snacks for the Littles, and planned to have the non-conferencing brother walk the halls with Gavin and Lexi while I met with each teacher. However, when it was Zach's turn to meet, Gavin threw a huge, loud, crazy fit from the stroller. He didn't want to be separated from Zach. So the stroller came into the classroom.

I sat down with Zach's teacher, but Zach refused. Instead, while my back was turned, he unbuckled Gavin and Lexi from their stroller seats. They made short work of destroying the classroom. My conference with the teacher lasted about three minutes. I hope that was enough for the year! Thankfully, my "plan A" for conferences worked out for Tyler's meeting. Zach pushed the Littles around the school and we all survived.

Then, just before lunch, Zachary got so worked up about his morning chores that he exploded in a fit of rage and ran away from home. Since he has done this once before, I knew to hop in the van immediately and chase after him. He was barefoot, but even in that state, his two-minute head start was significant. I prayed at each neighborhood intersection to know which way to turn. When I found him briskly walking down the side of the road, he refused to talk to me or get in the van. It was dramatic. I was glad I had called Garry for reinforcements; he was the one who finally convinced Zach to come home.

We limped along toward bedtime. Garry was out for the evening and the kids all refused to eat the dinner I prepared. Zach was so helpful as to write me a note saying, "I don't like this!" with an arrow pointing to his plate. Only Lexi and I filled our bellies. Girl solidarity, perhaps?

And then Gavin wouldn't go to sleep. He was terrified that a ghost was going to come out from under the bed and get him. He was afraid of the dark. He wouldn't let me close the door. He wanted me to stay in the bed and "keep him safe." When I asked why he was so scared, he said that Zach had told him about "ghostes that live in the dark places." After about an hour of his screaming and wailing, he fell silent. I went downstairs to investigate and found him in bed with Zach. I thought it was appropriate that Zach was his protector.

I'm pretty sure I don't know what I'm going to do with either of these boys. At least they've got each other.

Shake your groove thing...yeah, yeah!

Some fast food restaurant is including karaoke CDs with their kids meals. Tyler is obsessed with this music, and everyone likes to dance to the funky tunes. Garry captured great video last night when he was waiting for Zach's football practice to end. Enjoy!

"I Will Survive"





"Shake Your Groove Thing"

cool-de-sac

Every afternoon before the thunderstorms arrive, we all go out front to play. Even though we don't have other kids to play with, the space and safety of the cul-de-sac makes me happy. It's one of the things I really missed this summer when we were away.

The boys have started playing tennis (or...hit the tennis ball with a racket and watch the other person chase it).




There is always lots of bike riding. Sometimes Gavin escapes and must be chased and dragged home.



Zach and Tyler spend a lot of time in the trees, as well. (Without shoes, despite my protests.)



And Lexi tries to keep up with her brothers, no matter what they are doing.



Inevitably, the storm clouds gather, the thunder crashes, and we run for cover as the fat rain drops fall. Sometimes we're only outside for ten minutes, sometimes an hour. But I love our afternoon tradition.

Sleeping Beauty

Miss Alexis decided to change up the sleeping routine this summer.

She started sleeping through the night.

{Hooray!}

She started taking one nap a day.

{Hooray!}

The trouble is: she isn't sleeping enough now.

She falls asleep everywhere.

Why is sleeping so adorable?

ch-ch-ch-changes!

I love the old adage that the only constant is change! It's definitely an accurate description in my world.

As thrilled as I am to be back in Colorado Springs, with the stresses of moving tabled for a while, I couldn't resist changing things up a little almost as soon as I got back. While I was unpacking I reorganized drawers and sorted clothes and toys, filling bags for Goodwill and a humanitarian effort at church. I pulled boxes in from the garage -- tub toys, baby toys, and kitchen stuff -- that we packed away in January. And then I started moving furniture.

I moved the rocking chair out of Lexi's bedroom (since she isn't nursing any more) and made a little space for her to play. I emptied the drawers of receiving blankets and burp cloths and filled them with toys. I imagine a Christmas dolly will find a home here in a few months. Lexi loves her space.



The rocker now lives in the great room upstairs. I spruced up the couch and chair with pillows. I love the extra splash of color.





I also pulled out the bedding (or the beginnings of bedding) we bought in March (oh, what a tale!). I returned all of the fabric (a tale that rivals the story of its purchase) and bought pillow covers. The rest of the pillows are a work in progress, or, more accurately, a future purchase. But I love-love-love the face lift it gives our tired bedroom. I'm anxious to replace the red valance and red wall art, but I think that will take some time.

In non-house-related news, Lexi is now riding in a forward-facing car seat. She weighed 20.3 pounds on the day we left Mesa, so I flipped the seat, thinking it would ease our ride home. Actually, she screamed for 2/3 of the 15-hour drive, but now she likes her view of the world. Lexi is also sporting pig tails nearly every day, and her smile is due to change: she is working on five new teeth.



I also cut bangs for myself. I alternately love them and despise them. Once again I have learned that a hair cut does not change my life.



On Sunday my calling changed, too. I was a token member of the Relief Society meeting committee (but never functioned in that capacity since I spent the summer elsewhere), but was released from that responsibility and sustained as a Relief Society instructor. I am thrilled! I should only be teaching one Sunday a month, and I have agreed to substitute as the pianist until that vacancy is filled. These responsibilities should be a good fit for my life.

Until something changes.

stream of consciousness

Ah, nap time. Will this always be my favorite time of day? I really ought to take a nap myself, but I think my mental health will benefit from doing something I enjoy while the kids are sleeping.
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This is Lexi's second nap today. She went to bed so late last night and got up so early, and she's working on five teeth right now. Sleep is a hot commodity, and she doesn't get enough.
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Despite her small size, however, she sure eats a lot. That girl can put the food away! She's especially carnivorous now, a meat-and-potatoes girl.
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My other kids are increasingly picky, though. They have taken to skipping meals because I refuse to be a short-order cook. Tyler "fasted" both breakfast and lunch (with a hearty snack in between) because he didn't like the cereal we had for breakfast and he hates mac and cheese. I can't keep up with his preferences. Yesterday all three boys cried through dinner. I cooked all seven nights last week and someone was upset at every meal.
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Maybe that's why my floor is so dirty. Seriously dirty. My kids cannot keep their food off the floor. Last week, after mopping it again for the first time post-Arizona, I bought new mopping supplies. I used them today. Epic fail. I think the mop and solution would buff up the wood to a nice shine if it was already clean. But scrubbing up dried milk and cereal? Not a chance. In my next house I'm pouring a concrete floor with a drain in the middle and rigging an industrial-sized hose in the ceiling.
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Which brings me to the carpet. We are getting quotes for new carpet throughout the house and I am ever hopeful that we can afford the cost. Black carpet, perhaps? That wouldn't show the dirt, or the mark of a hot iron, should that ever happen again.
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And no, we are not getting quotes because someone has offered to buy the house. The carpet is really just for me. (Merry Christmas for the next ten years? Maybe.)
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Also just for me: the sugar cookie dough I made last night and stored in the fridge, just to eat, bit by bit, when I felt the urge. Someone please save me from my compulsive eating.
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Last night when we were reading scriptures, Gavin said, "It's my turn! I will say, "And it came to pass...and the Lord...commanded...." He is so glad to have his own copy of the Book of Mormon to hold while we read each night, even if he is running around the room or doing somersaults or jumping off the coffee table.
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Gavin is also saying his own prayers now. Out of the blue, he decided he was ready, and he DOES NOT want help. He prays for the cutest things. If it was appropriate to record prayers, I'd have the camera out every time.
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Our family has been praying that Gavin will feel comfortable attending nursery class on his own. It's a big step that he'll attend with Garry in the room now, but we are hopeful that he will soon make the solo transition. Change is hard, but we're lucky to have a fantastic nursery leader in our ward who seems devoted to Gavin's cause.
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I taught Relief Society yesterday. I loved studying and preparing for the lesson on the priesthood. I loved delivering the message (even if no one brought their manuals or scriptures or would comment). Why do I love teaching the women at church? I used to like being the center of attention and thought I had important things to say, but that isn't true of me anymore.
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Zach's football practices start today. I am hopeful that Zach will enjoy the physical outlet, and maybe sleep longer and be kinder to me.
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I am so sad that we don't live in a neighborhood with kids. But school starts a week from today. I am thrilled. School time, nap time, bed time....I'm noticing a pattern here!
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